Humor in the ER

Last night I was reminded of 2 things; how laughter at work, in a hospital setting, has diminished over the years and the healing power of laughter.
We all probably know these things subconsciously but rarely talk about it.
Well, in my present position as a Nursing Shift Coordinator the ER is required to inform me of the need for beds for admissions, or overnight observations. The only ones I am required to screen and give permission for are for admits to the Medical ward. So when the ER paged me asking for an assessment for a pediatric screen I was perhaps slightly confused. Upon entering the ER and asking about the patient and who the admitting doctor was I was presented with a small white fluff ball of a dog. It was just a puppy and I like dogs so I did appreciate the slight humor.
It seems the dog was involved in a family car roll over accident. All passengers, including the dog, managed to escape with very minor injuries. But the on call physician, having a fine sense of humor himself, filled out an ER admission form on the dog, including assessment details such as "wet nose" and "tail wagging excitedly", and presented the animal to the xray department along with the proper requisition.

So perhaps it was not protocol but it was a wonderful uplift for the staff, not to mention the state of mental health of the human family members. They were very attached to their little pet, and though slightly battered and bruised, left with a smile and a little laughter in their hearts.

Humor, in just the right dose, can be a wonderful healing medicine...for everyone.

Finding inspiration

I attended just a few sessions of the 2006 Saskatchewan Festival of Words. I couldn't get in to see Margaret Atwood so I choose a session with a CBC announcer and a childrens writer.
At first I thought, "oh no, not what I wanted. I don't really want to know anything more about Canada's Native peoples" (Tom Roberts from CBC in northern Sask).
And on day 2, expecting to listen to childrens writers I found myself saying, "but I'm not really in to poetry" (Dan Tysdale and Pamela Porter).
But I came away both days with inspiration to write about my years of nursing experience in some new ways. Amazing where you might find inspiration. Looking past the more obvious and listening and watching more the people whom the words are coming from. Their inspirations, their lives, their experiences.

The move to independent practice

I have been spending a lot more time lately adding to my own web site.

I am, and always will be, a strong advocate for the nursing profession, but I have tired from hands on nursing. Instead of just throwing away years of education and experience I have chosen to use my skills and knowledge in a new way.

My web site, NurseSentry.com, brings together a comprehensive collection of information for nurses seeking employment within Canada or the United States. I am proud of the site and I continue to update information. I want to be the best, most reliable source for nurses and employers.

I mention this briefly for a reason. See, one of the other things my web site does is help to encourage nurses to stay in the profession, whether in a more traditional setting or as a nurse in independent practice.

Nurses started out this way, being paid in money, food, or what ever people had to offer them for their services. Florence Nightingale helped ensure all those calling themselves nurses were properly trained, thus ensuring patients received the best care possible.

Today, many are returning to independent practice either on a full or part-time basis. And I encourage this.

Why?

Nurses today are not exactly the picture of health. It's not that "traditional employers" do not care about nurses' health, but the nature of the work is not often conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
We eat on the run, if we eat at all; we do not rest enough; physical activity is limited after hours because it is impossible to muster the energy after a 12 hour shift to go to Curves.

A more sain lifestyle is better and can keep nurses on the job longer. A self employed nurse has the option of remaining in the profession atleast part-time. I hope to help avoid situations where a nurse "burns out" altogether and thus leaves the profession entirely.

Now, with so many nurses nearing retirement having ones own business could make retirement more busy. Plus help supplement any pension income.

If you are a nurse seriously considering leaving the profession, I beg you to reconsider and look at the options available for nurses in business for themselves.